Genesis 45

Joseph Breaks Down

1 Joseph could not hold it in anymore. He told everyone in the room, ‘You all get out! I need a moment with these men.’ So no one else was there when he told his brothers who he really was.

2 He started crying so loud that the Egyptians and even Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

3 Joseph said to his brothers, ‘It is me, Joseph! Is my dad still alive,’ But his brothers were so shook they could not even answer him.

Joseph Calms His Brothers

4 Joseph said, ‘Come here, you all. It is me, your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt.’

5 ‘But do not trip and do not beat yourselves up for selling me. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives.’

6 ‘We have had two years of famine already, and there are five more years coming where there will not be any planting or harvesting.’

7 ‘God sent me ahead to keep you alive and to save your families from this famine.’

8 ‘So it was you not who sent me here, it was God. He made me Pharaoh’s top advisor, running his whole house and all of Egypt.’

Joseph Sends for His Father

9 ‘Now hurry back to my dad and tell him, Your son Joseph says, ‘God has made me ruler of all Egypt. Come down here and do not wait.’’

10 ‘Tell him to live in Goshen so you, your kids, grandkids, flocks, herds, and everything you got will be close to me.’

11 ‘I will take care of you, because there are five more years of famine coming, and I do not want you and your family starving.’

12 ‘You all see for yourselves, it is me talking to you. And Benjamin sees it too!’

13 ‘Go tell my dad about how I am running things in Egypt and everything you have seen. Then bring him here quick.’

Joseph Reunites with His Brothers

14 Then Joseph hugged Benjamin and started crying. Benjamin hugged him back and cried too.

15 Joseph kissed all his brothers and cried with them. After that, they finally started talking to him.

Pharaoh’s Invitation

16 When Pharaoh heard that Joseph’s brothers had come, he and his crew were hyped.

17 Pharaoh told Joseph, ‘Tell your brothers to load up and go back to Canaan.’

18 ‘Bring your dad and your whole family back here. I will hook them up with the best land in Egypt, and they will eat good.’

19 ‘Tell them to take wagons from Egypt for their kids and wives. Bring your dad back.’

20 ‘And do not worry about your stuff, you will get the best Egypt has to offer.’

Joseph’s Brothers Return to Canaan

21 Joseph’s brothers did what Pharaoh said. He gave them wagons and supplies for the trip.

22 He hooked each brother up with new clothes, but Benjamin got five sets of clothes and 300 pieces of silver.

23 Joseph also sent ten donkeys loaded with the best goods from Egypt and ten female donkeys with grain, bread, and other supplies for the trip.

24 As they were leaving, Joseph said, ‘Do not be arguing on the way back!’

Jacob Hears the News

25 They left Egypt and went back to their dad Jacob in Canaan.

26 They told him, ‘Joseph is alive! And he is running all of Egypt!’ Jacob was stunned and could not believe them.

27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said, and he saw the wagons Joseph sent, Jacob’s spirit revived.

28 Jacob said, ‘It is enough! My son Joseph is alive! I am going to see him before I die.’